Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 286 The Shadow of the Famous Tree of Man
Lu Zheng floated all the way back to where his body was. When his soul returned to his body, he was overwhelmed by a heavy feeling of fatigue.

"It seems that we should use this method less..."

Lu Zheng took out a pill to nourish his soul and swallowed it. Fortunately, his soul was still strong, otherwise, going out for a stroll like this would definitely hurt his soul.

After resting for a while, Lu Zheng got up and left the attic and walked onto the street.

When the patrolling guards saw Lu Zheng, they couldn't help but look surprised.

Lu Zheng looked at the others and said slowly, "Go tell Zhao Zhizhong that I have found what he is looking for. There is no need for him to go to great lengths. Just take care of what needs to be done first."

After saying that, Lu Zheng took light steps and flew away.

When everyone saw Lu Zheng leaving, they naturally didn't dare to chase him and quickly sent someone to notify Zhao Zhizhong.

"What? He got something!"

When Zhao Zhizhong heard the report from the visitor, his face suddenly changed.

Until now, Zhao Zhizhong still doesn't know what kind of evidence Song Ming left behind.

Now that the things have been obtained by Lu Zheng, more people will definitely be implicated, and it is possible that he himself will be in trouble.

Zhao Zhizhong's expression changed, and he couldn't think of any way to get the things from Lu Zheng.

Zhao Zhizhong felt a headache and could only order: "Forget it, let's take it one step at a time. Call everyone back and don't search anymore..."

……

Lu Zheng returned to the outside of the camp and found a place to rest.

He took out the storage bag left by Song Ming and took a look at the evidence inside.

Among them are records of Song Ming's interactions with some officials and families over the years, involving many private affairs and bribes.

Lu Zheng read it all and felt that the evidence Song Ming provided was not enough.

The officials and the big families in Maozhou are all the same. Producing these evidences is not enough to cause them to suffer heavy losses.

Maozhou is not as good as Hongzhou. In Hongzhou, at least there is the support of the provincial government.

Lu Zheng pondered for a moment and decided to put away the evidence first, using it as a bargaining chip, and then go to have a good talk with the Maozhou government.

Having made up his mind, Lu Zheng sorted out the evidence, emptied his mind, and closed his eyes to rest.

The next day, the sun was shining brightly.

Zhao Zhizhong stayed up all night and took people to interrogate and convict some officials in Qianshan County.

Early in the morning, the South City Gate was wide open.

Zhao Zhizhong ordered people to gather the people and take all the demon prisoners in the prison to the foot of the mountain outside the city, and publicly execute them in front of the people inside and outside the city.

Afterwards, Zhao Zhizhong personally advised the people outside the city to enter the city first to register and settle down, and they could discuss where they wanted to settle down in the future.

Many people want to ask Lu Zheng for his opinion.

Lu Zheng naturally couldn't take so many people around with him, so he let them decide on their own whether to stay or leave. If anyone was still dissatisfied, they could discuss it.

Seeing so many county officials being punished, many people were very satisfied and felt that justice had been done.

As they still had to live their lives, they each made a decision to first settle in Qianshan County and then be assigned to other counties. Some people were willing to stay in the local area.

Zhao Zhizhong was slightly relieved when he saw that Lu Zheng did not make any more trouble with these people.

But he also felt that there was even bigger trouble ahead.

After the people entered the city and had a temporary place to stay, Lu Zheng felt it was time to leave, so he went to say goodbye to Zhao Ping and others.

When Zhao Ping and others learned that Lu Zheng was leaving, although they were reluctant, they also knew that Lu Zheng had done so much for them and it was difficult to keep him.

Lu Zheng looked at Zhao Ping and the others and said, "Live a good life from now on. If you are dissatisfied with anything, you can go to the government office to raise your opinions. If they don't care, go to Hongzhou to find someone..."

Lu Zheng gave some instructions and left a few treasures to the leaders to scare away the villains.

Afterwards, Lu Zheng went to the county government office to say goodbye to Zhao Zhizhong.

When Zhao Zhizhong heard that Lu Zheng was in a hurry to leave, he was a little bit unbelieving.

Lu Zhengdao said, "Zhao Zhizhong will need to take more care of the affairs of Qianshan County."

"That's no problem. It's part of my job," Zhao Zhizhong readily agreed. He then asked, "Master Lu, are you in such a hurry to leave? Are you planning to go straight to Chu?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Let's go to Maozhou City first. I have something to do."

Zhao Zhizhong's heart almost jumped into his throat when he heard this.

Zhao Zhizhong couldn't help but ask, "Uh, what's going on? I wonder if I can help you?"

He felt that Lu Zheng might be going to the state capital to bring charges, but he still wanted to ask clearly.

Lu Zheng smiled faintly, "Don't worry about it, Zhao Zhizhong. Speaking of which, I'm going to Chu State this time. Is there anything Zhao Zhizhong wants? I'll bring some back for you on my way back."

Zhao Zhizhong was stunned for a moment and felt inexplicably flattered.

"This one……"

Zhao Zhizhong couldn't guess what Lu Zheng was thinking for a moment.

He thought for a moment and said, "The lacquerware of Chu is quite good. If Mr. Lu is free, please bring back a few pieces for me."

Since Lu Zheng had said so, it would seem a bit unreasonable for him to refuse directly.

Moreover, he felt that Lu Zheng had a deeper meaning behind what he said.

While speaking, Zhao Zhizhong still wanted to take out some money.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "Lu is not short of money. When I buy something and bring it back, Zhao Zhizhong will pay me back at the original price."

"Okay, okay." Zhao Zhizhong nodded repeatedly. Lu Zheng bowed and said, "I'll take my leave now. I hope that the next time I come to Maozhou, I'll see a different Maozhou."

Zhao Zhizhong vaguely understood what Lu Zheng meant. This was to remind him to always remember that Lu Zheng would come to Maozhou again. If he did not do his job well as an official, it was hard to say what the consequences would be.

It seems that Lu Zheng has no intention of targeting him now.

This at least made Zhao Zhizhong feel a little more at ease.

Zhao Zhizhong quickly said, "Don't worry, Mr. Lu, Maozhou will get better and better."

Lu Zheng just smiled, said no more, and left Qianshan County without anyone seeing him off.

When Zhao Zhizhong saw Lu Zheng leaving, he thought to himself that since Lu Zheng was going to Maozhou City, he didn't know how the two adults would respond.

"Fortunately, I still have to stay in Qianshan County for a while."

Zhao Zhizhong muttered softly, at least he was away from this King of Hell.

"But I still need to send a letter to the adults..."

……

Maozhou City, on the wide avenue outside the city.

Two people, one big and one small, walked quickly towards the majestic Maozhou city.

Qingwan skipped all the way, picking a handful of wild flowers in her hand, looking excited.

"This city looks different from Hongzhou City..."

Qing Wan raised her head slightly and looked at the city in front of her, and quickly compared them.

Lu Zheng took a look and found that there was indeed a difference. The whole city was a little bigger.

When we arrived at the city gate, there were not many people coming and going, and there were also soldiers guarding the city checking people entering the city.

Lu Zheng walked over with Qing Wan.

When the city guards saw Lu Zheng's appearance and then looked at Qing Wan beside Lu Zheng, they were a little uncertain for a moment.

Lu Zheng took out his ID and showed it to the guard in front of him.

When the guard saw it, he paused and was shocked. This person really came over!

They had received news that Lu Zheng was coming to Maozhou City before, and they were also shown Lu Zheng's portrait, so they must keep their eyes open.

They say a person's reputation is like the shadow of a tree.

The news that Lu Zheng had come to Maozhou City spread quickly.

As a result, the entire Maozhou city became different from usual. The wealthy families either stayed indoors or went out to visit relatives and friends, just to avoid Lu Zheng.

Even the officials in Maozhou government office became nervous and dug up some old cases to close them to prevent the people from going to Lu Zheng to complain.

For a time, the efficiency of Maozhou government offices was greatly improved.

This made the uninformed people in the city feel puzzled. They wondered why the officials and wealthy families in the city suddenly changed their attitude?

In fact, the inspections by the imperial court in the past had never made the Maozhou government so nervous.

After all, most of the censors would still show some leniency to local officials.

The way of being an official is to pay attention to personal relationships and social skills. Everyone is in the court together and has some relationships with each other, so you still have to save some face.

However, Lu Zheng is not a person from officialdom, so he will not show you any mercy. He is someone who dares to fight you to the death.

When the city guards saw Lu Zheng take out his ID, they didn't dare to stop him and quickly made way.

Seeing these people's nervous expressions, Lu Zheng had already guessed something.

Lu Zheng smiled and asked, "Excuse me, sir, which way is the Maozhou government office?"

The guard in front of him heard this and his heart jumped into his throat. "This, ah... the government office is..."

The guard was incoherent for a moment and couldn't explain himself clearly.

At this time, a city official learned of the situation and hurried forward, saying, "Mr. Lu, please follow me. The government office is a bit far from here, and the carriage is ready..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng thought that the Maozhou government office was very well prepared and had been waiting for his arrival here long ago?
Lu Zheng did not refuse and took Qing Wan into the carriage.

The city official personally drove the carriage and galloped all the way to the Maozhou government office.

Before Lu Zheng arrived at the provincial government office, the governor and other officials had already learned the news.

When Lu Zheng and Qing Wan entered the provincial government office, they were greeted by a middle-aged man with a big belly and a group of officials.

"I've long heard of Master Lu's great reputation, and today I'm fortunate enough to finally meet him!" The middle-aged man smiled brightly and added, "I'm Liu Yu, the governor of Maozhou."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Liu."

Qing Wan next to her also cupped her hands and bowed.

Liu Yu looked at the two of them and said, "You two have come from afar, so please rest for a while. I have already ordered a banquet to be prepared in my residence, with some wine and drinks to entertain you two... However, it is time to go to the government office now, and I am busy with official duties, so I really can't spare time..."

"I understand." Lu Zheng nodded. "I came to the yamen this time because I have something to do."

The officials' expressions changed slightly when they heard this, fearing that Lu Zheng was going to do what he did in Hongzhou, which would make it very difficult for them to deal with.

Lu Zheng turned to look at Qing Wan and said, "This Miss Qing Wan is a fairy who is practicing with me. She doesn't have an official identity yet. I brought her here to take the test and get an identity certificate. I wonder what the process is?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Wan couldn't help but stand up straight, looking up at the adults with glaring eyes.

Liu Yu's expression froze. "So you really came to the government office to do some business?" He asked why there was a little girl beside Lu Zheng.

(End of this chapter)